How to Use Shopify Social Proof to Boost Your Sales and Conversions

What is Social Proof?

Sources: Wall.IO

What exactly is the definition of social proof?

Social proof is a psychological occurrence whereby people frequently imitate the actions or perspectives of others, especially when they encounter uncertainty or hesitancy. This phenomenon can manifest in various forms, encompassing ratings, evaluations, endorsements, recommendations, awards, symbols, badges, references in media, social media posts, and many other expressions. 

The immense advantages of Shopify social proof

Boosting Customer Interaction

Have you ever spent time reviewing numerous product reviews before making a purchase decision? Chances are you have and are not alone — 93% of buyers do the same.

Integrating social proof into your website can significantly enhance customer engagement. By displaying positive reviews, testimonials, and user-generated content, prospective customers are more inclined to engage with your content. The authentic experiences satisfied customers share create a sense of connection, fostering a deeper relationship between your brand and your audience.

Research shows that engaged customers are not only more likely to frequent retailers' websites for reasons beyond immediate purchases but also tend to have a stronger emotional investment in the retailer.

Enhance Your Trustworthiness

In the online world, credibility plays a crucial role in earning the confidence of prospective customers. Social proof serves as a potent instrument to showcase that your products or services are trustworthy and deserving of attention.

When people observe that others have had favorable experiences with what you offer, it instills confidence in your brand's credibility and knowledge. Additionally, 93.7% of digital shoppers report that positive customer reviews boost their trust in a brand. Therefore, leveraging social proof can greatly bolster customer trust.

Influencing Buying Choices

The impact of social proof on purchasing decisions cannot be overstated. As humans, we often seek guidance from others, especially when it comes to spending our money. 

Social proof, exemplified through customer reviews and ratings, possesses considerable influence in guiding potential buyers towards making a purchase decision.

According to studies, 93% of consumers say that online reviews influence their buying decisions. Additionally, the likelihood of purchasing a product with five reviews is 270% higher than without reviews.

Increasing Sales and Average Order Value

Social proof has the ability to instill trust and confidence in potential buyers, influencing their decisions by tapping into fundamental human tendencies. Consequently, it can lead to increased sales for eCommerce businesses. Research also indicates that social proof can enhance conversion rates by 190%.

Furthermore, social proof in eCommerce is instrumental in elevating average order value, particularly for higher-priced items. By leveraging social proof, especially through customer reviews for premium products, the conversion rate has been observed to increase by 380%.

What types of social proof are there?

Social proof works effectively across various online platforms, whether it's your website or social media channels. Incorporating social proof across all your online platforms can lead to the best outcomes.

Popularity

One form of social proof is quantifiable indicators like the number of followers on social media or product reviews. These metrics demonstrate to potential buyers that there's interest in your brand or product. It instills a sense of trust and safety in making a purchase or sparks curiosity, prompting them to explore further.

Think about your own behavior when encountering a new brand. Don't you often gauge their credibility by their follower count or reviews? For instance, a Facebook Fanpage with 57,000 likes appears more established and trustworthy than one with only 500 likes, doesn't it?

Certain factors particularly align with this category. They include:

• The quantity of followers, likes, comments, views, and shares on social media posts.
• The viewership of your live broadcasts on platforms like Facebook or Instagram.
• The count of subscribers on your email list.

Certifications

Sources: Shopify

Social validation doesn't solely rely on individuals. Accreditation from reputable third-party entities or organizations can also establish credibility and social proof.

Public praise

Customer testimonials hold immense power in persuading online shoppers to make purchases. According to a survey from 2017, a staggering 85% of customers rely on reviews from fellow shoppers just as much as they trust recommendations from their friends. These reviews carry more weight than any promotional material directly from the seller. They can significantly sway purchasing decisions, often determining Whether a visitor opts to exit your site or transitions into a paying customer. 

The two most trusted forms of public praise are ratings/reviews and user-generated content. These can be showcased on your website or platforms like Yelp, Facebook, or Google, where customers can leave their feedback. Product-specific reviews and general company reviews hold value as shoppers place trust in the opinions of their peers.

Recommendations from reliable authorities

Recommendations from trusted experts, also known as influencer marketing, are a form of social proof. While paid endorsements may only sometimes seem genuine compared to feedback from real buyers, they can still be powerful if used correctly.

Endorsements from industry experts and influencers are considered trustworthy. 

To ensure their efficacy, it's essential to choose experts or influencers who are respected and trusted by their followers. Their endorsements can pique their audience's interest and generate interest as long as they don't appear overly promotional.

Numerous apps in the Shopify app marketplace are designed to help you display this information to your website visitors and establish social proof. Here are some key pieces of information you might want to showcase:

• Total number of customers served.
• Quantity of units sold for specific items.
• Notifications when inventory levels are low.
• Recent order notifications.
• Number of visitors currently browsing your website.

Top 5 Best Shopify Social Proof Apps to Boost Sales in 2024

1. EcomRise: Boost Sales Pro

EcomRise stands out as the premier choice among Shopify Social Proof Apps, offering a comprehensive suite of solutions tailored to elevate sales, enhance customer satisfaction, and safeguard website content. From Sales Notification (Sales Popup) to Trust Badges, Favicon Cart Count, Inactive Tab Message, Content Protection (Disable right click), and even Christmas Animation - Snowfall Effect, each tool is meticulously crafted to deliver impactful results for your store. Experience the power of these meticulously designed features to optimize conversion rates, recover abandoned carts, and enhance overall store performance starting today.

Key Feautures

• Drive customer re-engagement with personalized Inactive Tab Messages and real-time Favicon Cart Count updates visible directly in your browser, ensuring no opportunity is missed to recover sales.
• Elevate your store's credibility with dynamic Sales Notifications showcasing recent purchases in a captivating pop-up format, fostering trust and encouraging potential buyers to make confident decisions.
• Enhance the festive spirit and shopping experience for your customers with the enchanting Snowfall Effect, adding a touch of seasonal charm to your online store.
• Boost customer confidence and trust in your store's legitimacy by prominently displaying customizable trust badges, including payment icons and store policies, strategically positioned across your website.

Rating: 5.0/5

Pricing: 

• Free Plan
• Premium - $9.99/mo

2. EComposer Landing Page Builder 

EComposer Landing Page Builder represents a cutting-edge Shopify application designed to facilitate the creation of various page types, including Home Pages, Landing Pages, Product Pages, and Coming Soon Pages, among others. It offers features not readily available within Shopify's native toolkit. The abundance of constantly updated templates and outstanding features may initially overwhelm users.

One of EComposer's key conveniences lies in its provision of numerous elements and extensions dedicated to enhancing social proof. Notable among these are the Sale Notice extension, Trust Badge icon, Testimonial element, Review App integration, Stock Count, and more. Importantly, most of these social proof elements are accessible across all of EComposer's plans, including free ones.

Key  features

• Interactive Testimonials: EComposer lets users showcase customer testimonials prominently on their landing pages. By highlighting positive experiences from satisfied customers, businesses can build trust and credibility with prospective buyers.
• Client Showcase: With EComposer, businesses can create dedicated sections to showcase client logos or case studies. This visual representation of past successes and reputable clients acts as powerful social proof, validating the business's expertise and reliability.
• Social Media Integration: EComposer seamlessly integrates social media feeds into landing pages, displaying real-time updates and user-generated content. By showcasing engagement and interactions from social platforms, businesses can demonstrate an active and engaged community, enhancing their social proof.
• Trust Badges and Certifications: EComposer enables businesses to display trust badges, certifications, and industry affiliations prominently on their landing pages. These symbols of credibility and authority signal to visitors that the business is reputable and trustworthy, bolstering social proof.
• User-Generated Content: EComposer facilitates including user-generated content, such as reviews, ratings, and social media posts, directly on landing pages. By showcasing authentic customer feedback, businesses can build social proof and instill confidence in prospective buyers.

Rating: 5.0/5.0

Pricing: 

• Free plan
• STANDARD: $19/month
• PRO: $39/month
• PREMIUM: $99/month

3. Social Proof ‑ The Urgency App

Once Social Proof - The Urgency App is installed and configured, the widget will become visible on the product page, displaying the current number of viewers and the remaining stock availability for enhanced visibility. This data can reflect real-time numbers or be randomized within a predefined range. The widget can be customized using a user-friendly editor to ensure it seamlessly integrates with your Shopify store's design. Additionally, users can select the preferred location for displaying the widget on the product page.

Key Features

This exceptional Social Proof app offers several standout features to elevate your online presence:

• Customize Widget: Tailor the widget to your preferences by adjusting texts, design elements, conditions, and placement.

• Bulk Editing: Efficiently add the widget to targeted products, collections, or the entire store, streamlining the process.

• Enhanced Social Proof Control: Gain complete authority over social proof elements to persuade hesitant customers to purchase effectively.

• Seamless Implementation: Using the app effortlessly with a simple one-click installation eliminates the need for coding knowledge.

• Mobile-Friendly Design: Ensure a smooth shopping experience for your customers on mobile devices, enhancing accessibility and convenience.

Rating: 4.8/5.0

Pricing

• BASIC PLAN: $8.95/month
• PRIORITY SUPPORT: $17.95/month

4. Nextsale ‑ Social Proof App

Social Proof, Email, and Exit Pop offers valuable assistance to online retailers in enhancing store conversion rates and reducing bounce rates, all while delivering genuine value to website visitors. Through features like lead generation, promotional campaigns, and social proof establishment, retailers can effectively lower abandonment rates and convert visitors into customers.

Highlight Features

• Enhance Store Sales: Leverage powerful Social Proof and Activity notifications to increase sales and create a sense of urgency among visitors.

• Capture Emails and SMS Numbers: Utilize eye-catching pop-ups and top bars to collect valuable contact information from visitors, aiding future marketing efforts.

• Drive Conversions: Engage website visitors through on-page promotional campaigns, encouraging them to take action and purchase.

• Create Urgency: Implement urgency tools such as countdown timers to instill a sense of urgency and prompt visitors to act quickly, boosting conversions.

Rating: 5.0/5.0

Pricing

• ​​STARTER: $19.99/month
• BASIC: $29.99/month
• GROWTH: $49.99/month

5. ProveSource Social Proof

Enhance your Shopify store with ProveSource, the ultimate social-proof app! Showcase recent orders, glowing reviews, and live visitor notifications to elevate sales and increase conversions. Emphasize authenticity by featuring sales popups, review notifications, and real-time purchase alerts. Tailor the shopping experience to your brand by customizing order popup styles, positions, and timing rules. Transform your store into a bustling, engaging environment that drives urgency and instills customer confidence.

Highlight Features

• Foster trust and urgency with social proof sales popup notifications.
• Transform your website into a dynamic and compelling destination that prompts buyer action.
• Highlight recent orders, reviews, page visits, and more to bolster trust and credibility.

Rating: 4.9/5.0

Pricing

• STARTER PLAN: $29/month
• GROWTH PLAN: $54/month

Read more: [11+] Best Shopify Social Proof Apps to Boost Sales in 2024

How to Use Shopify Social Proof Can Boost Your Sales and Conversions

Incorporate Customer Reviews on Product Pages

Customer reviews represent a pivotal aspect of social proof. Nowadays, the majority of shoppers routinely consult product reviews before making purchases, booking accommodations, or subscribing to services.

To maximize the impact of customer reviews, it's essential to feature them prominently alongside your product pages. Presenting positive reviews to prospective buyers heightens their interest in the product. After perusing the reviews, the buyer will proceed to purchase your product.

For example, if you're selling clothing on your Shopify store, showcasing testimonials from customers who rave about your garments' quality, fit, and style can reassure potential buyers and encourage them to make a purchase.

Read more: How to create Shopify Ask A Question on your Product Pages

Display Recent Sales Notifications

Displaying real-time notifications of recent sales on your Shopify store creates a sense of urgency and social proof. When visitors see that others are actively making purchases, it instills confidence in the popularity and reliability of your products. For instance, if you're selling digital products like e-books, displaying notifications such as "John from New York just purchased this e-book" can encourage other visitors to buy, fearing they might miss out on a popular item.

Read more: How to show Back in Stock Notifications on Shopify stores

Share Customer-Generated Content on Social Platforms

Most of your current and potential customers actively engage on various social media platforms. While the significance of social media traffic may vary across different businesses, one aspect remains consistent: the impact of brand-related social media posts should always be considered.

Amassing a collection of positive product or brand reviews on platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram can serve as invaluable marketing channels for your overall strategy. However, before delving into social media marketing, it's essential to grasp its fundamentals.

Reposting or creating posts where customers mention your brand can yield significant marketing advantages and potentially sway indecisive visitors into becoming loyal customers. This strategy harnesses the power of social proof, leveraging authentic user experiences to bolster your brand's reputation and attract new customers.

 For example, if you're selling fitness apparel, you can feature Instagram photos of customers wearing your products and sharing their workout routines. Incorporating live chat functionality into your Shopify store enables you to offer instant assistance and support to prospective customers. 

Read more: Advantages And Disadvantages Of Social Media Marketing

Incorporate Social Sharing Buttons

When a shopper discovers a product of interest or value in your store, they often wish to share it with their network, whether it's friends, family, or followers. Simplifying this process is key, and the most effective method is by integrating social sharing buttons.

Facilitating the sharing of your products across various online platforms enhances the likelihood of reaching a broader audience and establishing brand credibility. Consider these buttons as vehicles for free promotion for your online store, amplifying visibility and engagement across the internet.

Read more: How to Add Shopify Social Share Button [FREE]

Employ Influencer Marketing

Influencer marketing entails compensating individuals with substantial follower bases, known as influencers, to endorse your business's products or services.

This marketing approach resembles celebrity endorsements, with the distinction in its ability to reach a broader customer base due to influencers' strong engagement levels with their audience.

When an influencer promotes your brand, many of their loyal followers, who trust and admire them, will likely explore your offerings and make purchases. Additionally, they may share your product or service through various channels, such as Facebook posts, further extending your brand's reach and visibility.

Incorporate Trust Badges

Another effective method of leveraging social proof is by integrating trust badges, providing an official endorsement that enhances customer confidence and encourages secure shopping experiences.

There exist various types of trust badges:

• Awards: Display any awards your business has received, as they significantly bolster your brand's credibility.

• Trust Seals: Utilize trust seals to demonstrate to customers that your business is secure for transactions. This involves partnering with reputable companies such as Norton, Baymard, McAfee, etc.

• Certifications: These badges formally confirm your business's expertise in a specific niche. For instance, if you operate a fashion eCommerce site exclusively featuring eco-friendly materials, you can showcase a "100% Organic Materials" trust badge.

• Media Mentions: Highlight trust badges if your business has been featured or mentioned on other reputable websites, as this further solidifies your brand's reliability and reputation.

For example, Hyphensleep demonstrates how to integrate this approach into your Shopify store. They have included badges such as a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee and Made in America badge.

Initiate a Brand Ambassador Program

Brand ambassadors are individuals enlisted by your company to promote your brand across their social media networks to achieve specific objectives, such as boosting sales or enhancing brand awareness.

To establish a brand ambassadorship program, it's essential to identify potential candidates who can effectively represent your brand. These individuals may include your employees, customers, or even business partners. While similar to influencer promotions, brand ambassadors maintain long-term relationships with your company, consistently advocating for your brand over time.

Offer Social Proof Discounts or Deals

Creating special offers or discounts triggered by social proof indicators can incentivize social sharing and increase brand visibility. For example, offering a discount code to customers who refer a certain number of friends to your Shopify store encourages social sharing and word-of-mouth marketing. Similarly, running limited-time promotions based on the number of shares or likes a product receives on social media can drive engagement and boost sales.

Implement Live Chat and Customer Support

Incorporating live chat features into your Shopify store enables you to offer instant assistance and support to prospective customers. For instance, if visitors have questions about product specifications or shipping options, they can quickly chat with a customer support representative for assistance. This real-time interaction can address concerns, provide personalized recommendations, and ultimately increase trust and confidence in purchasing.

Choosing the Right Social Proof App for Your Shopify Store

Selecting the perfect social proof app for your Shopify store may be overwhelming, given the many options available. To simplify the decision-making process, it's crucial to examine each app's offerings and how they enhance user experience and boost conversion rates.

Here are some pointers to keep in mind when picking the ideal Shopify apps for your store:

Define Your Objectives

Before deciding, clarify your objectives for using social proof. Are you aiming for increased sales or enhanced customer engagement? Identifying these goals will help streamline your selection process.

Prioritize User-Friendliness

Choose an application featuring a user-friendly interface, allowing for easy navigation and customization. An intuitive interface simplifies customization, tracking of results, and making adjustments as needed.

Know Your Audience

Different social proof apps cater to various customer demographics. Having a deep understanding of your target audience is essential when choosing an application that connects with them effectively. 

Explore Popular Options

Conduct thorough research on popular apps and delve into reviews and testimonials from fellow merchants who have utilized them. This insight will assist store owners in determining the most suitable app for their online store.

Top Tips for Enhancing Your Shopify App's Social Proof Feature

Effectively optimizing a Shopify app's social proof feature is crucial for instilling confidence and comfort in online shoppers. To achieve maximum effectiveness, store owners should adhere to several best practices. Here are some recommended methods:

Select Appropriate Types

Begin by choosing the suitable types of social proof for your store. This involves utilizing recent sales popups, customer reviews, testimonials, trust badges, and live visitor counters. Each of these components plays a role in building trust among customers.

Customize to Reflect Your Brand

Tailor your social proof apps to align with your store's branding. Customize fonts, colors, and images to ensure consistency with your brand image and message.

Prioritize User-Friendliness

Ensure that your social proof apps are intuitive and easy to navigate. Concentrate on crafting a user-friendly experience by developing a straightforward and succinct interface. Additionally, consider researching popular apps and reviewing feedback from other merchants to gauge user satisfaction.

Conduct A/B Testing

Experiment with different social proof apps and variations to identify the most effective strategies for your store. Utilize A/B testing to track and analyze results, allowing you to optimize your approach and enhance customer confidence in purchasing from your Shopify store.

FAQs

What exactly is Shopify social proof? 

We explore the concept and its significance. In February 2024, we highlight the top five social-proof apps in the Shopify App Store. With over 200 apps catering to social proof creation, selecting the right one can be daunting. This summary compares the leading social proof apps tailored for Shopify stores, aiding in your decision-making process.

Is social proof credible? 

This form of persuasion, where the opinions of others influence decisions, is referred to as social proof. It is one of the most reliable and impactful methods for consumers to gather information on various matters.

What does social proof entail in ecommerce?

The comprehensive handbook on social proof in ecommerce

Social proof is a psychological concept indicating that consumers rely on the decisions made by other shoppers when making their own purchasing choices. In the marketing realm, this translates to content, reviews, and images that highlight the excellence and trustworthiness of a particular product, along with the service provided by the company.

How impactful is social proof?

Indeed, social proof has been proven to boost conversions. Research indicates that showcasing customer photos led to a 2.3% increase in conversion rates, while displaying customer testimonials resulted in a significant 4.42% increase in conversion rates, as evidenced by studies.

Conclusion

Shopify social proof is a potent psychological concept utilized to enhance ecommerce conversions. Various methods exist for employing social proof effectively, with notable examples including customer testimonials, social media engagement, influencer marketing, creating a sense of scarcity, displaying recognizable logos and security seals, showcasing customer counts, incorporating testimonial videos and photos, and integrating Google Reviews. 

The overarching message is clear: social proof is a formidable tool capable of bolstering ecommerce conversions significantly. If it still needs to be implemented, it's advisable to consider its adoption due to its ease of setup and potential to yield impactful results.